I love the look of the L1, but it comes at quite a hefty price. I was wondering what your opinion in on L1 v.s the 30D (as it seems to be the standard at the price point) Does the L1 represent good value v.s a 30d with a IS lense? or the Nikon d200 with an Is lense?. Im new to SLRs, but dont want to buy something flimsy that will need replacing in a few years, and as such am looking a the magnesium bodied cameras. I can strech my budget to the L1 but am worried that as it is panasonics first forey into SLRs they might bring out a new version in 12months time with all the bugs ironed out, where as with a Cannon all the technology is well proven and tested.

Also is the L1s dim view finder as bad as some reviews have said??

any ideas????

Think the website is great by the way, really found the video reviews helpful and have been clicking on all the adverts i can find.

The L1's viewfinder is much smaller and dimmer, but it does have the Live View, so it depends how much you think you'd use that. If you won't use Live View, I think the 30D with the 17-55 would be a more flexible product, but it really also depends on which you prefer the look and feel of. Panasonic will bring out new DSLRs in 2007, but they're likely to be cheaper, more conventionally-styled ones.